Building set including self-interlocking building blocks and mat

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a building kit including a plurality of building blocks and a mat, the building blocks and the mat include self-interlocking reclosable fasteners configured such that a plurality of releasable connections are possible between the blocks and between the blocks and the mat.

FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to a building set.More particularly, this subject matter provides for a set of buildingblocks and a mat.

BACKGROUND

People of all ages find amusement in building structures out of buildingblocks of various shapes which stack, fit together, and/or connect. Suchbuilding blocks often come in a set. Sets of building blocks may vary bythe number of blocks included, or the size of the blocks. Different setsmay have different themes based on the particular building blocksincluded and the characteristics of the building blocks thereof. Sets ofbuilding blocks often include instructions illustrating how to createparticular structures. People can either follow the instructions orbuild a structure of their own design. It is sometimes the case that aperson cannot build exactly what he or she envisions because theconnectivity of the building blocks is limited.

Accordingly, a set of building blocks which can be connected at avariety of angles and locations on their surfaces would be well receivedin the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment, a building kit comprises: a plurality ofbuilding blocks, the plurality of building blocks each having aplurality of faces, wherein each face has at least a substantial areacovered by self-interlocking reclosable fasteners; and a mat including atop planar surface at least substantially covered by theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners.

According to another embodiment, a building kit comprises: a firstbuilding block having a first geometric shape and a first plurality offaces, wherein each face of the first plurality of faces has at least asubstantial area covered by self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, andwherein each face of the plurality of faces has a first plurality ofedges; a second building block having a second geometric shape and asecond plurality of faces, wherein each face of the second plurality offaces has at least a substantial area covered by self-interlockingreclosable fasteners, and wherein each face of the second plurality offaces has a second plurality of edges: wherein at least eighteenreleasable connection orientations are possible between the firstbuilding block and the second building block about a single point suchthat each of the eighteen connection orientations is at a differentrelative angular position between the first and second building blocks.

According to another embodiment, a building kit comprises: a firstbuilding block having a first geometric shape and a first plurality offaces, wherein each face of the first plurality of faces has at least asubstantial area covered by self-interlocking reclosable fasteners; asecond building block having a second geometric shape and a secondplurality of faces, wherein each face of the second plurality of faceshas at least a substantial area covered by the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners; wherein the self-interlocking reclosable fastenersare dual locking and comprise a plurality of stems, each of theplurality of stems extending to a head such that the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners are mushroom-shaped, and wherein the plurality ofstems are each configured to bend, and wherein the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners include at least 50 stems per square inch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a plurality of building blockshaving self-interlocking reclosable fasteners according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a mat of self-interlocking reclosablefasteners according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view of the mat of FIG. 2 according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the mat of FIGS. 2-3 having theplurality of building blocks of FIG. 1 attached thereto according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the plurality of building blocks ofFIG. 1 having been connected to one another to build a first structure,the first structure attached to the mat of FIGS. 2-4 in accordance withone embodiment;

FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged view of a connection between two of thebuilding blocks of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a second structure connected to themat of FIGS. 2-5 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the mat of FIGS. 2-5 and 7 having afirst and second building block attached in different orientationsaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of the mat of FIGS. 2-5, 7 and 8affixed to a wall with the first structure of FIG. 5 attached;

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a container of self-interlockingreclosable fasteners holding a second plurality of building blocks andthe mat of FIGS. 2-5 and 7-9;

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of the container of FIG. 10 accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of the container of FIGS. 10 and 11having been folded closed in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of the container of FIGS. 10-12having been folded closed inside out in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of the mat of self-interlockingreclosable fasteners of FIGS. 2-5 and 7 having a plurality of objectsattached thereto in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 15 depicts components of a catching game including a spheroid ball,the surface area of the spheroid ball being entirely covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners and a mitt including a strap anda surface area opposite the strap, the surface area opposite the strapbeing entirely covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners.

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of the mitt and ball of FIGS. 15, theball attaching to the mitt in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 17 depicts a perspective view of the mat of FIG. 2 being used as atarget in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of a plurality of sections ofself-interlocking reclosable fasteners being used as a mounting means inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of the mounting means of FIG. 18 inuse attached to the mat of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 20 depicts a perspective view of a toy face having a plurality ofsections of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners used as mountingmeans and a plurality of features attachable to the face according toone embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of thedisclosed apparatus and method is presented herein by way ofexemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a plurality of building blocks 1.Hereinafter it should be understood that “building block” 1 means anindividual three-dimensional geometrically shaped object. A “buildingblock” as defined herein may include non-cubic or cuboid shapes but mayhave various other geometric shapes, for example, prisms, spheres, andthe like. Irregular shapes and more detailed objects may also beincluded. The building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 areshown having an entire surface area 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, 2 e, and 2 fthat is at least substantially covered in self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3, such as 3M™ Dual Lock™ reclosable fasteners. As shown inFIG. 6, the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 may include rows ofidentical protrusions, including stems 30 having identical interlockingheads 31. The interlocking heads 31 may be mushroom-shaped. Thereclosable fasteners 3 may be pressed together, such that the stems 30“flex” allowing the mushroom heads 31 to slide past one another. Oncethe interlocking heads 31, which may be mushroom-shaped, have slid pastone another, the stems 30 may “snap” back into their original position,causing the mushroom heads 31 of the reclosable fasteners 3 tointerlock. There may be emitted an audible snap sound when thereclosable fasteners 3 interlock. There are different types ofreclosable fasteners 3 of which could be used for the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1. For example, the reclosable fasteners 3 may beconfigured to have 170 stems 30 per square inch, 250 stems 30 per squareinch or 400 stems 30 per square inch.

Moreover, the stems 30 and mushroom shaped heads 31 may be replaced byother self-interlocking mechanisms. For example, the mushroom shapedheads 31 may be replaced by differently shaped heads such as cones,cones with blunted tips, square-based pyramids, or square-based pyramidswith blunted tips. The faces of the building blocks of the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1 from which the self-interlocking reclosable fastenersprotrude may be entirely rigid, or flexible; the building blocks of theplurality of building blocks 1 may be made out of plastic, wood, foam,rubber, metal, a composite material, and the like.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the plurality of building blocks 1 includes afirst cube-shaped building block 4, a first building block in the shapeof a triangular prism 5, a first cuboid-shaped building block 6, a firstcylindrical building block 7 a first cone-shaped building block 8 and asecond cylindrical building block 9. However, the plurality of buildingblocks 1 are not limited to these shapes, and may also be an octahedron,a hemisphere, a tetrahedron, a dodecahedron, and the like. Additionally,irregular shapes may also be used. Further, it should be understood thatthe plurality of building blocks 1 may include multiple building blockshaving the same shape, but having different dimensions, for example, theplurality of building blocks 1 may include the first cylindricalbuilding block 7 of FIG. 1, as well as the second cylindrical buildingblock 9, the second cylindrical building block 9 having an entire lengththat is half of an entire length of the first cylindrical building block7.

In one embodiment, the entire surface area 2 of each building block ofthe plurality of building blocks 1 is entirely covered in reclosablefasteners 3. This is shown in FIG. 1 with respect to: A) the cube-shapedbuilding block 4 which has an entire surface area 2 a that is entirelycovered in reclosable fasteners 3; B) the first cylindrical buildingblock 7 which has an entire surface area 2 e entirely covered inreclosable fasteners 3; and C) and the triangular prism-shaped buildingblock 5 which has an entire area 2 b covered in reclosable fasteners 3.In another embodiment, the entire surface area 2 of the plurality ofbuilding blocks is not entirely covered in reclosable fasteners 3. Thisis shown in FIG. 1 with respect to: A) the cuboid building block 6 inwhich the reclosable fasteners 3 do not cover the entire surface area 2c; B) the cone-shaped building block 8 in which the reclosable fasteners3 do not cover the entire surface area 2 d; and C) the secondcylindrical building block 9 in which the reclosable fasteners 3 do notcover the entire surface area 2 f. As is described below, the proportionof surface area that is covered by self-interlocking reclosablefasteners is not limited to those examples shown in FIG. 1, and anybuilding block 1 of any shape may have any percentage of its surfacecovered with self-interlocking reclosable fasteners.

Building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 not having theirentire surface areas covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3may be covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 such thatvarious percentages of the surface area of each building block of theplurality of building blocks 1 are covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3. For example, fifty percent, one third, twothirds, or ninety percent of the surface area of any block of the firstplurality of building blocks 1 may be covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3. The arrangement of the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3 on the building blocks of the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1 such as the cuboid 6, cone 8 and second cylindricalbuilding block 9 may vary. For example, in FIG. 1, the cuboid buildingblock 6 is shown having a flat face 18 having a first corner 19 and asecond corner 20. The self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 coverhalf of the flat face 18 such that the self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3 extend from the first corner 19 to the second corner 20 suchthat the flat face 18 is has two congruent areas shaped as righttriangles including a first right triangle 200 covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3, and a second right triangle210 having no reclosable fasteners 3. This placement of the reclosablefasteners 3 with regard to the cuboid building block 6 may repeat onevery face of the cuboid building block 6, or each face of the cuboidbuilding block 6 may have a different arrangement of self-interlockingreclosable fasteners. In FIG. 1, the cuboid building block 6 is shownhaving a flat face 25 substantially covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3 such that a first rectangle-shaped portion 24 ofthe flat face is covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 anda second rectangle-shaped portion 23 of the flat face 25 does not haveself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3.

The cone-shaped building block 8 in FIG. 1 is shown having a flat face26 and a curved face 27. The cone-shaped building block is substantiallycovered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 such that the flatface 26 is entirely covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3,and such that the curved face 27 has a bottom portion 29 covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 and a top portion 28 having noself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3. It should be understood thatthe arrangement of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 is notlimited to the arrangement with respect to the cone-shaped buildingblock 8 as depicted in FIG. 1. For example, the arrangement may be suchthat the bottom portion 29 is not covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3 and the top portion 28 is covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3. As another example, thearrangement of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 may be suchthat the flat face 26 has no self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3and the entirety of the curved face 27 is covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the second cylindrical building block 9 isshown are entirely covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3.The self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 are arranged in a pluralityof equally spaced strips 41 beginning at an edge 42 of a first flat face(not shown) of the second cylindrical shaped building block, continuingto an edge 43 of a second flat face 40 of the second cylindricalbuilding block, leaving alternating strips of area 41 covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 and strips of area 44 withoutself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3. While the plurality of strips41 of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 are shown having a wavyshape, it should be understood that the strips may also be arranged in astraight, zig-zag, or staggered manner. Any pattern of dispersal of theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 is contemplated. It should befurther understood that the arrangement of the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3 with respect to the second cylindrical buildingblock 9 is not limited to that which is shown in FIG. 1. For example,the arrangement of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 may besuch that variously shaped patches of self-interlocking reclosablefasteners are placed sporadically on the first the flat face 40, and acurved face 38 of the second cylindrical block 9. As another example,the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 may be absent from the flatface 40, but wrap around half of an entire length of the curved face 38,and entirely cover the first flat face of the second cylindricalbuilding block.

Further, the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 could be arrangedto create patterns on the faces of the building blocks of the pluralityof building blocks 1, for example, swirls or checks. It should beunderstood that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and anypattern or shape or amount of surfaces of building blocks may be coveredby the reclosable fasteners 3.

The building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 of FIG. 1 maybe different colors. For example, the cube-shaped building block may begreen, and the triangular prism-shaped building block may be yellow.Alternately, each face of each building block of the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1 may be a different color. Furthermore, theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners may be of a different color thanthe areas of the building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1having no reclosable fasteners. For example, with respect to the secondcylindrical building block 9, the plurality of strips 41 ofself-interlocking reclosable fasteners may be blue, and the strips ofarea 44 having no reclosable fasteners 3 may be orange. Further still,the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners may have patterns of colors,for example, a checkered pattern such that alternating square-shapedareas of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners alternate in color.

The self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 and/or the surfaces uponwhich they reside may be color coded to indicate particular connectionpossibilities to the user. For example, the self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3 of a flat face 66 of the first cylindrical building block 7may be green, and the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 of a flatface 47 of the cube-shaped building block 4 may be red except for agreen circular portion having the same area as the flat face 66 of thefirst cylindrical block, such that the user is prompted to connect theflat face 66 to the green circular portion of the flat face 47. Theremay be a plurality of color-coded connection areas on every face of eachblock of the plurality of building blocks 1 such that a user is promptedto create plurality of particular structures out of the building blocks1. Some of the color coded areas on the faces of the building blocks ofthe plurality of building blocks 1 may be such that less than the entirearea of any given face is color-coded. For example, the flat face 47 ofthe cube shaped building block 4 may have a semi-circle color-coded areasuch that the curved portion of the semi-circle extends towards themiddle of the flat face 47 and the flat portion of the semi-circlebegins at an edge of the flat face 47, thereby indicating to the user toconnect a matching semi-circle portion of the flat face 26 of thecone-shaped building block 8 to the semi-circle portion of the flat face47 of the cube shaped building block 4. The color coded areas may wraparound corners of the building blocks of the plurality of buildingblocks 1 such that a portion of a color coded area could be covered by acorresponding building block on one of two faces. The color coded areasof the building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 may bearranged in a mosaic pattern, such that color coded areas of variousshapes and colors abut one another.

The color-coded areas of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners mayhave different colors such that a user having any type ofcolor-blindness would be able to detect all of the color-coded areas.For example, the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the flat face47 may be red, which a user having protanopia or deuteranopia wouldperceive as green. As such, unlike the colors of the flat face 47 asdescribed above, the circular portion of self-interlocking reclosablefasteners having the same area as the flat face 66 of the firstcylindrical block 7 may be blue, such that a person having protanopia ordeuteranopia would be able to distinguish the circular portion from therest of the red flat face 47. The color-coded areas could be configuredto be distinguishable by a user having any form of color-blindnessthrough the use of specific color combinations and colors of varyingbrightness.

Each building block of the plurality of building blocks 1 could havecolors configured such that the surfaces of each block, and/or the colorof the protrusions of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 arevisually representative of any type of building or building material,for example, the building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1may look like a castle, a brick building, a sky scraper, and the like.

It should be understood that the plurality of building blocks 1 is notlimited to including only the six blocks depicted in FIG. 1; theplurality of building blocks 1 may have multiple blocks of the sameshape, dimension, color, and arrangement of self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3. In another possible embodiment, the building set mayinclude five of each of the building blocks depicted in FIG. 1. In yetanother embodiment, the building set may include a plurality of buildingblocks wherein the building blocks come in seven different geometricshapes, wherein there are ten building blocks of each of the sevenshapes, and wherein each of the ten building blocks of any one of theseven shapes is different in color, pattern, and arrangement ofself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, a mat 60 is shown in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Particularly, FIG. 2 shows aperspective top view of the mat 60. FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottomview of the mat 60. In FIG. 2, the mat 60 is shown having a rectangularshape, though it should be understood that the mat 60 could be manydifferent shapes, for example, a circle, a triangle, a rhombus, and thelike. As another example, the mat 60 could have the shape of a person,character, animal, and the like. Any size of the mat 60 is contemplated,for example, the mat 60 could be approximately the size of a place-mat,or the mat 60 could be the size of an area rug. The mat 60 could beflexible to enable the mat 60 to be folded or rolled up such that it canfit within a container (not shown) of FIGS. 10-13.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mat has a topplanar surface 21 which is entirely covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3, for example, 3M™ Dual Lock™ reclosablefasteners. The top planar surface 21 is not limited to being entirelycovered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3, and could be suchthat only a substantial area of the top planar surface 21 of the mat 60is covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3, for example, onehalf, one third, or two thirds of the mat 60 could be covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3. Each edge of the mat 60 mayinclude a tab (not shown) having an area substantially covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 such that a plurality of matshaving tabs could be connected together in a plurality of orientationsby the releasable connecting of the tabs (not shown).

The mat 60 is not limited to being one single piece, for example, themat 60 could comprise a plurality of mat panels (not shown) which arereleasably connectable to one another in various orientations. Further,each panel of the plurality of mat panels could have a different shape,and be configured such that the plurality of mat panels connect togetherto create a larger shape such as a triangle, rectangle, and the like.Each edge of each mat panel of the plurality of mat panels may include atab having an area substantially covered in self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3 such that the plurality of mat panels could be releasablyconnected to one another.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3of the mat 60 may have a pattern of areas having different colors. Theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 on the mat 60 may have aplurality of variously shaped portions that are color-coded toparticular portions of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 ofthe building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1, such that theuser is prompted to make a plurality of different particular connectionsbetween the mat and the building blocks of the plurality of buildingblocks 1 of FIG. 1. For example, the self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3 of the mat 60 may have a portion having the same area andcolor as a triangular face 48 of the triangular prism-shaped buildingblock 5 of FIG. 1, such that the user is prompted to connect thetriangular prism-shaped block 5 to the mat 60 by connecting thetriangular face 48 to the corresponding portion of the mat.

Further, the mat 60 could be color-coded such that either the top planarsurface 21 of the mat 60 or the self-interlocking reclosable fastenersof the mat 60 is representative of different settings or places, forexample, the top planar surface 21 could be green except for a portionof the top planar surface 21 which could be blue, such that the topplanar surface 21 of the mat 60 looks like grass surrounding a body ofwater. Additionally, the mat 60 could be configured to look like abirds-eye view of a plurality of intersecting roads, or the floor plansof a house.

FIG. 3 shows the bottom planar surface 22 of the mat 60 of FIG. 2according to another embodiment of the present invention. The bottomplanar surface 22 of the mat 60 has a plurality of suction cups 33. Thesuction cups 33 are shown as being arranged in a grid formation, thoughthe plurality of suction cups 33 is not limited to this arrangement andcould be arranged, for example, on a plurality of edges 34 of the bottomplanar surface 22 of the mat 60, or in any other configuration. Thesuction cups 33 would enable the mat 60 to be affixed to a variety ofsurfaces, thereby providing a variety of stable areas on which toconnect the building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1. Theattachment mechanism of the bottom planar surface 22 of the mat 60 isnot limited to a plurality of suction cups 33. For example, theattachment mechanism could be Velcro, adhesive strips, magnets, hooks,and the like. Any attachment mechanism for attaching the mat 60 toanother surface might be utilized. Additionally, the mat 60 may notinclude any attachment mechanism at all.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown the mat 60 of FIGS. 2-3 having theplurality of building blocks 1 of FIG. 1 attached thereto according toone embodiment. Each individual building block of the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1 may be connected to the mat 60 by pressing together anarea of any given building block of the plurality of building blocks 1having self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 to the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3 of the mat 60. The triangular prism-shapedbuilding block 5 is connected to the mat such that the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3 of a bottom flat face (not numbered) of thetriangular prism-shaped building block 5, adjacent to the top planarsurface of the mat 21 have removably interlocked with theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 of the top planar surface 21 ofthe mat 60. Further, though the entire area of the bottom flat face ofthe triangular prism-shaped building block 5 is covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3, only a portion of the bottomflat face is connected to the mat 60. Another portion of the bottom flatface extends past an edge 61 of the mat 60. The arrangement of theplurality of building blocks 1 is not limited to that which is shown inFIG. 4. Any building block of the plurality building blocks 1 may beconnected to the mat 60 such that a portion of any face of the buildingblock which is connected to the mat 60 may extend past the edge 61 ofthe mat 60, an edge 62 of the mat 60, a edge 63 of the mat 60 or an edge64 of the mat 60. As a further example, the plurality of building blocks1 may be connected to the mat 60 such that no portion of any blockextends past any edge of the mat 60, or such that a portion of eachbuilding block connected to the mat extends past an edge of the mat 60.The plurality of building blocks 1 may be connected to the mat 60 suchthat the blocks are arranged in a row, a circle, a square, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of the pluralityof building blocks of FIGS. 1 and 4 having been connected to one anotherto build a first structure 65, the first structure 65 attached to themat 60 of FIGS. 2-4 in accordance with one embodiment. Each buildingblock of the plurality of building blocks 1 is shown having beenconnected to one another to create the first structure 65 such that: A)a bottom flat face (not numbered) of the cuboid building block 6 isconnected to the top planar surface 21 of the mat 60; B) a flat face(not numbered) of the first cylindrical building block 7 is connected toa flat face (not numbered) of the cuboid building block 6; C) a bottomflat face (not numbered) of the cone-shaped building block 8 isconnected to a flat face 68 of the cuboid shaped building block 6; D) aflat face (not numbered) of the second cylindrical building block 9 isconnected to the flat face 25 of the cuboid shaped building block 6; E)a flat face (not numbered) of the second cylindrical building block 9 isconnected to a flat face (not numbered) of the cube-shaped buildingblock 4; and F) a flat triangular shaped face (not shown) of thetriangular prism-shaped building block 5 is connected to a face 71 ofthe cube-shaped building block 4. It should be understood that theplurality of building blocks 1 is not limited to the configurationdepicted in FIG. 5, for example, the building blocks of the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1 may be connected one on top of another, or a structuremight be created such that two or three building blocks of the pluralityof building blocks 1 are connected to the mat 60.

Referring still to FIG. 5, self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of theplurality of building blocks 1 may be color-coded such that a user wouldbe prompted to create the first structure 65 by making connections Athrough F as listed in 0031.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an enlarged view of a releasableconnection being made between two of the building blocks of theplurality of building blocks 1 of FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, according to oneembodiment. The flat face 26 of the cone-shaped building block 8 isshown connecting to the triangular shaped face 48 of the triangularprism-shaped building block 5. The self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3 of the flat face 26 are shown pointed downward, and theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 of the triangular shaped face48 are shown pointed upward to depict the interlocking mechanism of theheads 31 of the protrusions of the self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3, though it should be understood that the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3 could be in any orientation. Further, theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 of the flat face 26 and theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 of the triangular shaped face48 could be different colors or the same color, such that the facescorrespond in color, and are thereby “color-coded” to connect to oneanother.

Referring still to FIG. 6, a first protrusion 74, a second protrusion 77and a third protrusion 80 of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners3 of the flat face 26 are shown interlocking with a fourth protrusion83, a fifth protrusion 86, and a sixth protrusion 89 of theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 of the triangular shaped face48. A stem 30 of the first protrusion 74 and a stem 30 of the sixthprotrusion 89 are shown bending, as a head 31 of the first protrusion 74is pressed between a head 31 of the sixth protrusion 89 and a head 31 ofthe fifth protrusion 86. A stem 30 of the second protrusion 77 and astem 30 of the fifth protrusion 86 are shown bending as a head 31 of thesecond protrusion 77—one side of which has already passed andinterlocked with a head 31 of the fourth protrusion 83—is pressed pastthe head 31 of the fifth protrusion 86. A stem 30 of the thirdprotrusion 80 and a stem 30 of the fourth protrusion 83 are shown, bothin a straight position, a head 31 of the third protrusion 80 havinginterlocked with the head 31 of the fourth protrusion 83. A stem 30 ofthe fourth protrusion 83 is shown in a straight position, the head 31 ofthe fourth protrusion 83 having interlocked with both the head 31 of thethird protrusion 80 and the head 31 of the second protrusion 77.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the plurality of building blocks ofFIGS. 1, and 4-6 having been connected to one another to build a secondstructure 50, the second structure 50 attached to the mat 60 of FIGS.2-5 in accordance with one embodiment. Each building block of theplurality of building blocks 1 is shown having been connected to oneanother to create the second structure 50 such that: A) a bottom flatface (not shown) of the second cylindrical building block 9 is connectedto the top planar surface 21 of the mat 60; B) the flat face 40 of thesecond cylindrical building block 9 is connected to a curved face 72 ofthe first cylindrical building block 7; C) the flat face 26 of thecone-shaped building block 8 is connected to a flat face (not shown) ofthe first cylindrical building block 7; D) a flat face (not numbered) ofthe cuboid shaped building block 6 is connected to the top planarsurface 21 of the mat 60; E) a flat triangular shaped face (not shown)of the triangular prism-shaped building block 5 is connected to the flatface 25 of the cuboid shaped building block 6; F) a bottom flat face(not numbered) of the triangular prism shaped building block 5 isconnected to the top planar surface 21 of the mat 60 and partly extendspast the edge 63 of the mat; and G) a bottom flat face (not numbered) ofthe cube shaped building block 4 is connected to the flat face 18 of thecuboid shaped building block 6 such that no edge of the bottom flat faceof the cube building block is parallel or perpendicular to an edge 32 aor an edge 32 b of the flat face 18. The plurality of building blocks 1is not limited to being connected to form the second structure 50 andmay be connected into a multitude of different structures. A user mayconnect the building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 to oneanother and to the mat 60 into a nearly infinite number of structures.The building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 facilitate theuser's imagination, as the connectivity of the building blocks of theplurality of building blocks 1 is not limited as it may be for otherbuilding blocks having connective mechanisms which only allow thebuilding blocks be attached to one another in a couple of orientations.In one embodiment, at least eighteen or twenty connection orientationsmay exist between any given building block of the plurality of buildingblocks 1 and any other any given building block of the plurality ofbuilding blocks, about a single point, the eighteen or twenty connectionorientations being at various relative angular positions between onebuilding block of the plurality of building blocks 1 and anotherbuilding block of the plurality of building blocks. In other words,there may be a different connection orientation every 20 degrees ofrotation. In other embodiments, there may be a connection orientationevery 10 degrees of rotation, making thirty six connection orientationsabout a single fixed point. Even more connection orientations arecontemplated, such as fifty or one hundred connection orientations. Thenumber of connection orientations may be dependent upon the number ofreclosable fasteners found on the surface per square inch. In oneembodiment, the more reclosable fastener heads, the more connectionorientations. It should be understood that these connection orientationsmay be similarly found between the plurality of blocks 1 and the mat 60.Any two surfaces that are covered with the reclosable fastenersdescribed herein may be connectable in the plurality of connectionorientations about a single point as described herein. Further, a useris not limited to only connecting flat faces of the building blocks ofthe plurality of building blocks 1 together, or only flat faces of thebuilding blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 to the mat 60.Curved faces of the building blocks of the plurality of building blocks1 may also be connected to the mat and to all other faces of thebuilding blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 regardless of theshape of the faces.

Referring still to FIG. 7, the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners ofthe plurality of building blocks 1 of the second structure 50 may becolor-coded such that a user would be prompted to create the secondstructure 50 by making connections A through G, as describedhereinabove.

Further, though FIG. 7 depicts a structure in which all six buildingblocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 are used, it should beunderstood that it is possible to build structures out of any number ofbuilding blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1. Every buildingblock of the plurality of building blocks 1 need not be used alltogether to build a structure. For example, a structure could be builtby connecting only the triangular prism shaped building block 5 and thesecond cylindrical building block 9.

FIG. 8 depicts a second cuboid shaped building block 37 and a thirdcylindrical building block 35, both connected to the top planar surface21 of the mat 60 in various orientations. The second cuboid shapedbuilding block 37 is connected to the mat 60 such that no edge of thesecond cuboid shaped building block 37 is parallel or perpendicular toany of the edges of the mat 60. The third cylindrical building block 35is connected to the mat 60 such that an entire length 36 of a curvedface 51 of the third cylindrical building block 35 is neither parallelnor perpendicular to any edge of the mat 60. As shown in FIG. 8, no edgeof the second cuboid shaped building block 34 is parallel orperpendicular to the entire length 36 of the curved face 51 of the thirdcylindrical building block 35. It should be understood that the buildingblocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 may be connected to the mat60 such that their edges are parallel or perpendicular to one another,but are not limited to this arrangement. It should also be understoodthat the building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 need notbe connected to the mat 60 such that the edges of different buildingblocks are parallel or perpendicular to one another. In one embodiment,at least twenty connection orientations may exist between the mat 60 andany given building block of the plurality of building blocks, about asingle point, the twenty connection orientations being at variousrelative angular positions between the mat 60 and any particularbuilding block of the plurality of building blocks 1.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a perspective view of the mat 60 ofFIGS. 2-5, 7 and 8 affixed to a wall 52 with the first structure 65 ofFIG. 5 attached thereon. The bottom planar surface 22 (not pictured) ofthe mat 60 may be attachable to the wall by suction cups, Velcro,adhesive strips, magnets, hooks, and the like. The structure which maybe attached to the mat 60 while the mat 60 is affixed to the wall 52 isnot limited to the first structure 65, and may be any structure whichhas been built from the plurality of building blocks 1. Further, itshould be understood that the mat 60 is not limited to being affixed toa wall 52. For example, the mat 60 may be affixed to a bathtub, a carseat tray, a high-chair tray, and a multitude of other surfaces (notshown). Further still, the mat 60 is not limited to being affixed to asurface, nor is the mat limited to being affixed such that the topplanar surface 21 of the mat 60 is parallel or perpendicular to a floor.For example, in a room having a slanted ceiling, the mat 60 may beaffixed to the slanted ceiling and the building blocks of the pluralityof building blocks 1 may be connected to the mat 60 while the mat 60 isaffixed to the slanted ceiling.

Referring still to FIG. 9, the building blocks of the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1 may be of varying weights, such that the user mayexperiment attaching different building blocks to one another extendingoutwards from the mat 60 to determine how many building blocks of theplurality of building blocks 1 of different weights, connected outwards,remain extended before the connected building blocks of the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1 begin to extend outwards and downwards from the mat60, or before building blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1connected one on top of another, beginning with a building blockconnected to and extending from the mat 60 become too heavy for thebuilding blocks of the plurality of building blocks 1 extending outwardsfrom the mat 60 to remain connected to the mat 60.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a container 117 holding a secondplurality of building blocks 54 and the mat 60 of FIGS. 2-5 and 7-9. Thevolume of the container 53 may be such that all the building blocks ofthe second plurality of building blocks 54 and the mat 60 need not beput into the container 117 in any particular order, nor need theplurality of building blocks 54 be limited to the building blocksdepicted in FIG. 10, for example, the plurality of building blocks 54may include other shaped building blocks, or a greater or lesser numberof building blocks than that shown in FIG. 10. Though the container 117is shown as a clear cylindrical tub having a screw-top lid 55, it shouldbe understood that the container 117 is not limited to this embodiment,and may be a cuboid bin, a fabric bag, a cardboard box, and the like. Itshould be further understood that a resealable opening 56 of thecontainer 117 need not be limited to a threaded lip 57 and screw-top lid55; for example, the resealable opening may be configured to open andclose by a zipper, magnets, a draw string, a snap-on lid, and the like.

FIG. 11 depicts a second embodiment of the container 117 of FIG. 10, thecontainer 117 configured to provide a building surface whereon thebuilding blocks of the pluralities of building blocks 1 and 54 may beconnected after the container 117 has been fully opened, and, configuredto fold into a large building block onto which building blocks ofpluralities of building blocks 1 and 54 may be connected. The container117 is shown fully opened.

In one embodiment, the container 117 of FIG. 11 may include a squarebase panel 92, a first rectangular panel 93, a second rectangular panel94, a third rectangular panel 95, and a fourth rectangular panel 96.Each panel of the container 117 may be flat. The container 117 may befully opened such that each rectangular panel lies flat upon a surface.The first rectangular panel 93 may be flexibly attached to an edge 112of the square base panel 92 such that the first rectangular panel 93 maybe folded about the square base panel 92 to abut either face of thesquare base panel 92. The second rectangular panel 94 may be flexiblyattached to an edge 113 of the square base panel 92 such that the secondrectangular panel 94 may be folded about the square base panel 92 toabut either face of the square base panel 92. The third rectangularpanel 95 may be flexibly attached to an edge 114 of the square basepanel 92 such that the third rectangular panel 95 may be folded aboutthe square base panel 92 to abut either face of the square base panel92. The fourth rectangular panel 96 may be flexibly attached to an edge115 of the square base panel 92 such that the edge may be folded aboutthe square base panel to abut either face of the square base panel 92.

The first rectangular panel 93, second rectangular panel 94, the thirdrectangular panel 95, and the fourth rectangular panel 96 may each have,flexibly attached on each of their two edges extending from square basepanel 92, a tab 97-104, each face of which may be entirely covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3. Each tab 97-104 may be foldedabout the rectangular panel to which it is attached, such that each tab97-104 may abut either face of the rectangular panel to which it isattached. The second rectangular panel 94, the third rectangular panel95, and the fourth rectangular panel 96 may each have a tab 110, 111,116 each face of which may be entirely covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3, flexibly attached to each edge which may beparallel to the edge of the square base panel to which they are flexiblyattached.

Flexibly attached to an edge 106 of the first rectangular panel 93, andconfigured to fold as to abut either face of the first rectangular panel93, may be placed a square lid panel 105. Flexibly attached to each edgeof the square lid panel 105 that is not flexibly attached to the firstrectangular panel 93 may be a tab 107-109 configured to fold about thesquare lid panel 105 and to abut either face of the square lid panel105. Each face of each tab 107-109 flexibly attached to the square lidpanel 105 may be entirely covered in self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3.

While the container 117 is shown configured to releasably seal via tabs97-104, 107-109 and 110-111 having self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3 on both faces, it should be understood that the releasablesealing mechanism is not limited to self-interlocking reclosablefasteners and could be a plurality of zippers, magnets, buttons, togglesand loops, and the like. It is contemplated that any attachmentmechanism may be used to releasably and reversibly seal the container117.

The faces of the rectangular panels and of the square panels shown inFIG. 11 may be entirely covered in self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3. Fully opened, the container 117 may provide a surface onwhich the user can connect building blocks of pluralities of buildingblocks 1 and 54 and structures built from the plurality of buildingblocks 1. The four rectangular panels 93-96 extending from the squarebase panel 92 may provide four building surface areas such that multipleusers of the building set may have a separate surface area on which tobuild using building blocks from a given building set.

Referring to FIG. 12, the rectangular panels 93-96 of the container 117of FIG. 11 have been folded perpendicular to the square base panel 92(not shown). At each corner where two rectangular panels are folded suchthat their edges abut, the tabs of the rectangular panels have beenconnected by their self-interlocking reclosable fasteners such that eachcorner is sealed. The tabs 97-104 of FIG. 11 are shown connected bytheir self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 such that tabs 98 and 99are connected to create a releasably sealed corner between the firstrectangular panel 93 and the second rectangular panel 94; tabs 97 and104 are connected to create a releasably sealed corner between the firstrectangular panel 93 and the fourth rectangular panel 96; tabs 102 and103 are connected to create a releasably sealed corner between thefourth rectangular panel 96 and the third rectangular panel 95; tabs 100and 101 are connected to create a releasably sealed corner between thesecond rectangular panel 94 and the third rectangular panel 95. The lidpanel 105 is shown open in order to provide a view of the inside of thecontainer 53. In order to releasably close the container 117, the lidpanel 105 would be folded parallel to the square base panel 92, andreleasable connections would be made between tabs 107 and 116; 108 and111; and 109 and 110.

The corresponding connected tabs are shown extending outside of thecontainer 117, though it should be understood that the tabularconnections could be made such that the connections made between tabs97-104 could be made such that the tabs extend inside the container 117.This is possible because each face of each tab is entirely covered inself-locking reclosable fasteners 3, and each tab can fold about thepanel to which it is attached. The faces of the panels not at leastsubstantially covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners may haveno self-interlocking reclosable fasteners and may instead besubstantially smooth. The smooth faces of each panel may face outwardswhen the container 53 is configured as shown in FIG. 12. A label may beaffixed to the smooth outward-facing faces, for example, a sticker.Alternately, labels may be printed onto the smooth faces.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the container 117 of FIGS. 11 and 12having been closed such that the panel faces that are at leastsubstantially covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 arefacing outwards. Folded as shown in FIG. 13, the container 117 providesa three-dimensional building surface, to which building blocks ofpluralities of building blocks 1 or 54 may be connected. Each face ofeach panel that is covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3may be color-coded to indicate possible connection points between thecontainer 117 and the building blocks 1. The self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3 on the panels may be arranged in patterns. Anypattern of dispersal of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 iscontemplated. Shown in FIG. 13, the container 117 is configured asdescribed above except that the rectangular panels 93-96 have beenfolded about the square base panel 92 such that the faces of the panelswhich are at least substantially covered in self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3 are facing outwards. The corresponding connected tabs, 100and 101; 97 and 104; 98 and 99; 102 and 103 are shown extending outsideof the container 117, though it should be understood that the tabularconnections between tabs 97-104 could be made such that the tabconnections extend inside the container 53. The plurality of buildingblocks 1 of FIGS. 1, and 4-7, and the mat 60 of FIGS. 2-5, 7 and 8 maybe stored in the container 117 simultaneously both when the container isreleasably sealed such that the faces of the panel having noself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 are facing outwards, and whenthe container 117 is releasably sealed such that the faces of the panelsat least substantially covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners3 are facing outwards.

The container 117 of FIGS. 10-13 may be configured such that a surfacearea of the faces or the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 of thefaces of the rectangular panels 93-96, and of the square panels 92, 105are configured to look like a setting such as grass, a body of water, ora building material such as brick, stone, tiles, siding, and the like.Each rectangular panel and square panel could be configured to look likethe same setting or building material, or each rectangular and squarepanel could look like a different setting such that one or a pluralityof settings are available to have building blocks of the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1 connected thereon when the container 117 is unfoldedas shown in FIG. 11 and when the container 117 is folded as shown inFIG. 13.

The self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 are not limited tofacilitating connectivity between only the mat 60 and the plurality ofbuilding blocks 1 and between different building blocks of the pluralityof building blocks 1, nor are the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners3 limited to facilitating connectivity between building blocks orobjects having geometric shapes. Referring to FIG. 14, there is shownthe mat 60 of FIGS. 2-5, 7 and 8, a cuboid building block 526 the entiresurface area of which is covered in self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3, having been connected to the mat 60 by a bottom flat face(not shown), and a plurality of figurines interfacing with the mat 60and the building block 526, the figurines including a first humanoid500, a second humanoid 501, a cow 502, and a tree 503. The firsthumanoid 500 is shown lying on the mat 60, having not yet been connectedto the mat 60. The first humanoid has a first foot 504 and a second foot505. Both feet 504, 505 may have a bottom surface which may be coveredin self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3. The first humanoid 500 hasa first hand 508 and a second hand 509. Both hands 508 and 509 may havea surface which may be covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners3.

The second humanoid 501 may also have a first foot and a second foothaving a bottom surface area which includes self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3. The second humanoid 501 may also have a first and secondhand which may have a surface which includes self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3. The second humanoid 501 is shown connected tothe building block 526 by the interaction of the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners of one hand with the self-interlocking reclosablefasteners of the building block 526. Further, the second humanoid 501 isshown connected to the mat 60 by the interaction of theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the feet with theself-interlocking fasteners of the mat 60. It should be understood thatthe humanoids 500, 501 are not limited to having self-interlockingreclosable fasteners on the hands and the feet. For example, a torsoregion 520 of the first humanoid may also have self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3. As another example, the first humanoid 500, mayinclude a head region 524. The head region 524 may also includeself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3. Further, the first humanoid500 is not limited to being connected to the mat 60, and could beconnected to any portion of the building block having self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3. The self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3allow the user to interface a plurality of figurines with the mat 60 andbuilding blocks in many ways which are not limited to having thefigurines only “standing” in an upright orientation, namely, theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 allow the figurines to beconnected in sideways and upside-down orientations on both the mat 60and the faces of building blocks having self-interlocking reclosablefasteners.

Referring still to FIG. 14, there is shown the cow 502 having aplurality of hoofs, which may each include a flat bottom surface area(not shown) entirely covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners(not shown). The cow is connected to a flat face 529 of the cuboidbuilding block 526 by the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 onthe flat bottom surface areas of the hooves such that the cow 502 isoriented horizontally in relation to the mat 60. The cow 502 is notlimited to being connected to the building block 526, and could beconnected to any portion of the mat 60 and building block 526 havingself-interlocking reclosable fasteners. The cow 502 is also not limitedto only having self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on the flat bottomsurface areas of the hooves. As one example, the cow 502 could also haveself-interlocking reclosable fasteners on a back portion of the cow 502such that a humanoid figurine having an entire surface area below thetorso area entirely or substantially covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners could be seated on the cow 502.

Also shown in FIG. 14, the tree 503 is depicted having been connected tothe mat 60. The tree includes a trunk 514 having a flat bottom surfacearea (not shown) which is entirely covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners, and a curved face 515 entirely covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3. The flat bottom surface areaof the tree 503 is releasably connected to the mat 60 by theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 thereon. It should also beunderstood that the figurines are not limited to interfacing with themat and building blocks; the figurines may also connect to one anotherby portions of figurines having self-interlocking reclosable fasteners3. Further, the figurines shown are not limited to being humanoids 500,501, the cow 502 and the tree 504. For example, the figurines mightinclude a variety of farm, jungle, or other genres of animal figurines,a plurality of super hero or humanoid action figurines, a plurality ofdifferent landscape pieces such as trees, bushes, hills, and the like.The genre of figurines could correspond to the mat 60 and accompanyingbuilding blocks. For example, the colors of the mat 60 could beconfigured such that the mat 60 looked like a pasture (not shown), andthe accompanying building blocks could be configured to look like barnsiding, and the corresponding figurines could be a humanoid farmer, aplurality of various farm animals, and trees or plants that would growin a pasture. Other genres or themes may be used as would be known inthe art.

Components of a catching game are shown in FIG. 15, including a spheroidball 600 having a curved face 601 entirely covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3, and a mitt 602 including a strap 603 and asurface area 604 opposite the strap 603, the surface area 604 havingself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 attached thereto. The spheroidball 600 may be rigid or flexible; the spheroid ball 600 may be made outof plastic, wood, foam, rubber, metal, a composite material, and thelike. The self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 on the spheroid ball601 may releasably connect to the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners3 of the surface area 604 of the mitt 602 so that the user can try tocatch the spheroid ball 600 using the releasable connection between theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the curved face 601 of thespheroid ball 600 and the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of thesurface area 604 of the mitt 602. It should be understood that othershaped balls are contemplated, such as footballs, rugby balls, or thelike. Further, the ball 600 shown is exemplary and other sizes arecontemplated such as soccer ball sized balls, beach ball sized balls,and the like.

FIG. 16 depicts a user 605 having the mitt 602 of FIG. 15 attached tothe user's hand by the strap 603, holding the mitt 602 such that thesurface area 604 of the mitt 602 having self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3 is facing downward. The spheroid ball 600 of FIG. 15 isshown connected to the surface area 604 of the mitt 602, theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners enabling the user to hold thespheroid ball 600 on the mitt 602 even upside-down without the spheroidball 600 parting from the mitt 602. The mitt is not limited to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 16, for example, the mitt 602 could beattachable to a user's hand via a plurality of loops, a pocket, aplurality of cavities configured to the spacing of a user's hand whichthe user could grasp, and the like. Further, the mitt 602 could be apaddle having a face entirely covered in self-interlocking fasteners 3.The paddle could also include a handle which the user would hold tomaneuver the paddle in trying to capture the spheroid ball 600. Asanother example, the mitt 602 could be a mitten or glove wearable by theuser, the palm of the mitten or glove being entirely or substantiallycovered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners.

Referring to FIG. 17 there is shown a target game including yet anotherembodiment of the mat 60 of FIGS. 2-5, 7, 8, and 13, having a bottomplanar surface 408 including a plurality of suction cups 33 affixing themat 60 to a wall 404, the target game also including a plurality ofdarts 405. The mat 60 may be shaped like a circle, and may have a topplanar surface 406 covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3.The coloring of the top planar surface 406 of the mat 60 may be suchthat the mat 60 has three concentric rings, creating a target at whichthe plurality of darts 405 can be thrown or ejected. The targetbulls-eye mat 60 is not limited to being affixed to a wall 404 and couldbe configured to be wearable by a user, for example by a vest or shirthaving the bulls-eye mat 60 attached thereon, or via a plurality ofloops, straps clips, and the like configured to attach the bulls-eye mat60 to a user. In other embodiments, no bulls-eye is necessary. Insteadthe wearable object which includes the self-interlocking reclosablefasteners may be body armor and worn to cover various portions of awearer's body. In other embodiments, the darts 405 may be arrows,bullets, missiles, projectiles, or the like. In all embodiments, theleading edge of the projectile may include the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners.

The dart 405 may include a face 410 which includes self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3. The face 410 may be entirely covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners. The self-interlocking reclosablefasteners of the face 410 may connect to the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners 3 of the top planar surface 406 of the mat 60 whena user throws or ejects the darts 405 at the mat 60. FIG. 17 shows twodarts 419 attached to the mat 60. Another dart 420is shown approachingthe mat 60, having been thrown, shot, or otherwise propelled towards themat 60 such that the flat face 410 is approaching the mat 60.

The darts 405 are not limited to having a cylindrical shape as shown inFIG. 17, and could have for example, a conical shape, a cuboid shape, anoblong spheroid shape, and the like. The darts 405 are shown havingfins, but it should be understand that the darts 405 could havedifferent aerodynamic appendages such as feathers, or may not have anyaerodynamic appendages. Further, while the darts 405 shown in FIG. 17are shown having the same color, it is contemplated that the darts 405could each be a different color, or could be colored to each correspondto a different colored ring of the bulls-eye of the mat 60 such that auser is prompted to throw or eject each dart of the plurality of darts405 to a particular colored ring on the bulls-eye of the mat 60.

Referring to FIG. 18 there is shown a loofa or sponge device 120configured to interface with yet another embodiment of the mat 60 ofFIGS. 2-5, 7, 8, 13 and 17 (not shown). The sponge device 120 includes aback side 121. The back side 121 may include a plurality of attachmentpoints 122. Each attachment point 122 may be comprised of a plurality ofself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3. In one embodiment, theattachment points 122 may be located only on the back side 121. Infurther embodiments, the attachment points 122 may be located on two ormore sides of the sponge device 120 or there may be one or moreattachment points 122 on each side of the device 120. Theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 of the attachment points 122may be capable of attaching to the self-interlocking reclosablefasteners 3 of the mat 60, such that the sponge device 120 may beattached to the mat 60 when not in use. The connection between theattachment point 122 and the mat 60 may be sufficient to withstand notonly the power of gravity, but also additional environmental factors aswell. For example, in a shower setting loofas and sponges may often falloff of a shower caddy, shelf, or other holding area. Further, thepresence of soap and water makes for a slippery environment whereinobjects are even more likely to fall or be displaced. However, theconnection of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners may be strongenough to combat both gravity and these slippery conditions and retainobjects such as the sponge device 122 in one place.

The mat 60 could be further configured to include and interface with aplurality of functional attachments. The functional attachments could beconfigured to be applicable to uses other than in a shower setting. Forexample, a scrubber attachment including a portion of a surface areaentirely or at least substantially covered in self-interlockingreclosable fasteners, and an abrasive surface, could be configured toreleasably connect to the mat 60 such that a user could scrub an objectby moving the object back and forth across the abrasive surface, theabrasive surface remaining conveniently stationary, having beenconnected to the mat 60 by the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners.As another example, rather than having an abrasive surface, a functionalattachment could have a polishing surface, or the functional attachmentcould be a scraper, a grater, a sharpener, and the like.

FIG. 19 is an environmental view of the mat 60 of FIGS. 2-5, 7, 8, 13,17, and 18 having been affixed to a wall 128 of a shower 300 by aplurality of suction cups 33 on the bottom planar surface (not shown) ofthe mat 60. Releasably attached to the mat 60 is the loofa or spongedevice 120 of FIG. 18. The sponge device 120 may be held in the positionshown by the interaction of the self-interlocking reclosable fastenerson the mat 60 and the attachment points 122. As has been describedabove, this connection may be strong enough to resist gravity as well asthe slippery conditions created by the operation of the shower 300.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a head 601 having areas covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners 3 onto which a plurality offacial features 600 may be attached, as well as a plurality of facialfeatures 600. Each of the plurality of facial features have an areawhich is covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, the areabeing located where the facial feature would attach to the head 601. Forexample, an ear 602 is shown being connected to the head 601; the areaof the ear 602 having self-interlocking reclosable fasteners is suchthat when the ear 602 is attached to the head 601, the ear 602 isoriented on the head 601 as an ear would naturally be oriented on ahead. For example, another ear 603 is shown having already beenconnected to the head 601. Also connected to the head 601 are a mouth604, a first eye 605 and a second eye 606. The plurality of facialfeatures 600 is not limited to the facial features depicted in FIG. 20.Shown are noses, eyes, mouths, eyebrows, and a moustache, though itshould be understood that the plurality of facial features 600 couldalso include other facial features; for example, beards, differenthairstyles, as well as accessories such as glasses, hats, and the like.Further, it should be understood that the head 601 is not limited tohaving self-interlocking reclosable fasteners only in the eye, nose,ear, eyebrow, and moustache areas. For example, the head 601 could havemore areas having self-interlocking reclosable fasteners that were notin positions on the head 601 on which facial features would naturallybe; this may facilitate more creativity and imagination by the user. Asanother example, the head 601 could be entirely covered inself-interlocking reclosable fasteners.

Referring still to FIG. 20, though the head 601 is shown having theshape of a humanoid head, it should be understood that the head 601 isnot limited to this shape and could be other shapes; for example, ananimal head shape such as a dog or a dinosaur. It should be furtherunderstood that the plurality of facial features 600 is not limited tohumanoid facial features, and could be a plurality of animal facialfeatures that could correspond with the head 601 having an animal shape.The head 601 could be the size of an average humanoid head, or could besmaller or larger than an average humanoid head. The bottom of the head(not shown) may have an area of self-interlocking reclosable fastenerssuch that the head 601 could be connected to the mat 60 (not shown) orto a building block of the plurality of building blocks 1 (not shown)such that the head 601 is steady as the user connects some of theplurality of facial features 600 thereon. In a further embodiment, abody may be provided, the body having a neck area covered withself-interlocking reclosable fasteners such that the head 601 may beremovably attached to the body. Further, various other body parts,clothes, and accessories may be provided for the body, all of which maybe removably attachable to the body using the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners as has been described. Referring again to the head601, the head 601 could be rigid or flexible and the plurality of facialfeatures 600 could be rigid or flexible. The head 601 and the pluralityof facial features 600 may be made from plastic, wood, foam, rubber,metal, a composite material, and the like. The user is not limited toconnecting the facial features to the locations on the head 601 on whichthe facial features would naturally correspond. For example, the usercould connect the ear 603 to the top of the head 601, or anywhere elseon the head 601 having self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, therebyfacilitating creativity and the imagination of the user. Furthermore,the head 601 could also include a body as well. Arms and legs may beattachable to the main body, including but not limited to the head 601.Other extremities and limbs may additionally be attachable to the head601 with the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners.

Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either thearticles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there areone or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” andtheir derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may beadditional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or”when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any termor combination of terms. The terms “first” and “second” are used todistinguish elements and are not used to denote a particular order.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, butis only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A building kit comprising: a plurality of building blocks,the plurality of building blocks each having a plurality of faces,wherein each face has at least a substantial area covered byself-interlocking reclosable fasteners; and a mat including a top planarsurface at least substantially covered by the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners.
 2. The building kit of claim 1, wherein the matfurther includes a bottom planar surface including a plurality ofsuction cups.
 3. The building kit of claim 1, wherein theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the mat and the plurality ofbuilding blocks, or the surfaces upon which the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners reside have a plurality of color-coded areas, eachcongruent in shape, area and color to at least one other color-codedarea on any given building block.
 4. The building kit of claim 1,further comprising: a container including a resealable openingconfigured to receive the plurality of building blocks and the mat, thecontainer configured to contain the plurality of building blocks and themat simultaneously.
 5. The container of claim 4, wherein at least one ofan outside surface and an inside surface of the container has at least asubstantial area covered in self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. 6.The container of claim 1, wherein the self-interlocking reclosablefasteners are dual locking and comprise a plurality of stems, each ofthe plurality of stems extending to a head such that theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners are mushroom-shaped, and whereinthe plurality of stems are each configured to bend.
 7. The container ofclaim 6, wherein the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners include atleast 100 stems per square inch.
 8. The container of claim 7, whereinthe self-interlocking reclosable fasteners are heat stamped into the topplanar surface and the plurality of faces.
 9. The container of claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of building blocks has a differentgeometric shape.
 10. A building kit comprising: a first building blockhaving a first geometric shape and a first plurality of faces, whereineach face of the first plurality of faces has at least a substantialarea covered by self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, and wherein eachface of the plurality of faces has a first plurality of edges; a secondbuilding block having a second geometric shape and a second plurality offaces, wherein each face of the second plurality of faces has at least asubstantial area covered by self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, andwherein each face of the second plurality of faces has a secondplurality of edges: wherein at least eighteen releasable connectionorientations are possible between the first building block and thesecond building block about a single point such that each of theeighteen connection orientations is at a different relative angularposition between the first and second building blocks.
 11. The buildingkit of claim 10, further comprising: a mat including a top planarsurface at least substantially covered by the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners.
 12. The building kit of claim 10, wherein thefirst and second building blocks are configured to engage intoreleaseable connections between a first face of the first plurality offaces and a second face of the second plurality of faces such that afirst edge of the first plurality of edges is parallel to a second edgeof the second plurality of edges in a first releasable connection, suchthat the first edge is perpendicular to a second edge of the secondplurality of edges in a second releasable connections.
 13. The buildingkit of claim 11, further comprising: a container including a resealableopening configured to receive the plurality of building blocks and themat, the container configured to contain the plurality of buildingblocks and the mat simultaneously.
 14. The building kit of claim 10,wherein at least thirty six releasable connection orientations arepossible between the first building block and the second building blockabout a single point such that each of the thirty six connectionorientations is at a different relative angular position between thefirst and second building blocks.
 15. A building kit comprising: a firstbuilding block having a first geometric shape and a first plurality offaces, wherein each face of the first plurality of faces has at least asubstantial area covered by self-interlocking reclosable fasteners; asecond building block having a second geometric shape and a secondplurality of faces, wherein each face of the second plurality of faceshas at least a substantial area covered by the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners; wherein the self-interlocking reclosable fastenersare dual locking and comprise a plurality of stems, each of theplurality of stems extending to a head such that the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners are mushroom-shaped, and wherein the plurality ofstems are each configured to bend, and wherein the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners include at least 50 stems per square inch.
 16. Thebuilding kit of claim 15, further comprising: a mat including a topplanar surface at least substantially covered by the self-interlockingreclosable fasteners.
 17. The building kit of claim 16, furthercomprising: a container including a resealable opening configured toreceive the plurality of building blocks and the mat, the containerconfigured to contain the plurality of building blocks and the matsimultaneously.
 18. The building kit of claim 17, wherein at least oneof an outside surface and an inside surface of the container has atleast a substantial area covered in self-interlocking reclosablefasteners.
 19. The building kit of claim 15, wherein theself-interlocking reclosable fasteners are heat stamped into theplurality of faces.